Programme Specification (Undergraduate)

FOR ENTRY YEAR: 2020/21

Approved November 2019 Date amended:

1. Programme title(s) and code(s):

BSc Economics

BSc Economics with a Year Abroad*

BSc Economics with a Year in Industry*

*Students may only enter these degree programmes by transferring after the end of year 1

a) Award Titles

BSc in Economics

BSc in Economics (with a Year Abroad)

BSc in Economics (with a Year in Industry)

* These awards are only available as exit awards, and are not available for students to register onto.

b) HECOS Code

HECOS CODE %

100450 100%

c) UCAS Code (where required)

2. Awarding body or institution:

University of Leicester

3. a) Mode of study:

Full-time

b) Type of study:

Campus-Based

4. Registration periods:

BSc Economics:

The normal period of registration is three years

The maximum period is five years

Undergraduate Programme Specification

BSc Economics with a Year Abroad /Year in Industry:

The normal period of registration is four years.

The maximum period of registration is six years.

5. Typical entry requirements:

Three A levels normally considered as a minimum. Two AS levels or vocational AS levels will be considered in place of an A level. General Studies and Critical Thinking not accepted.

A/AS Levels: ABB or equivalent including GCSE Maths at grade B or grade 5

Access to HE course: Pass kite-marked course with a substantial number of level 3 credits at distinction, normally a minimum of 30 with some in Business or Economics. Students should also have GCSE Maths grade B.

European Baccalaureate: Pass with 77% overall.

International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 30 points and 5 in SL maths.

Cypriot Apolytirion: 18.5/20 overall including 17 in Maths, plus grade B in 1 A-level. For BSc, additional A-level needs to be in Maths.

French Baccalaureat: 13/20 overall with 13 in Maths. Students taking the international option 12/20 overall with 13 in maths.

Lithuanian Brandos Atestatas: Pass with grade 8.5 overall.

Chinese first year degree course: Normally, Pass with an average of 85% with good grades in relevant subjects.

6. Accreditation of Prior Learning:

Direct entry into the second year may be possible for those with advanced qualifications strictly comparable with our degree structure.

7. Programme aims:

The programme aims to:

Provide a detailed knowledge, and critical awareness, of the main ideas, concepts, models and principles in economic analysis, and their application to contemporary economic policy issues through the study of core microeconomic and macroeconomic theory, and numerous optional modules.

Undergraduate Programme Specification

Develop skills in quantitative economic analysis through the use of standard mathematical and statistical techniques and their application to economic problems and data.

Prepare students for a wide range of careers such as government service, business management, financial services and postgraduate study in economics or a related area.

Develop skills of written and oral presentation, team working, information handing, use of information technology and skills for lifelong learning.

Provide students who enter the Year Abroad programme the experience of learning in a different cultural environment.

Provide students who enter the Year in Industry programme with opportunities to obtain relevant work experience and support them in developing a portfolio to demonstrate learning outcomes. Also to enable these students to learn directly about business and the professional application of their studies.

8. Reference points used to inform the programme specification:

QAA Benchmarking Statement

Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ)

UK Quality Code for Higher Education • University Learning Strategy • University Assessment Strategy • University of Leicester Periodic Developmental Review Report • External Examiners’ reports (annual) • United Nations Education for Sustainable Development Goals • Student Destinations Data

9. Programme Outcomes:

Intended Learning Outcomes

Teaching and Learning Methods

How Demonstrated?

(a) Discipline specific knowledge and competencies

(i) Mastery of an appropriate body of knowledge

Demonstrate knowledge of the main ideas, concepts, models and principles in microeconomic and macroeconomic theory.

Describe standard mathematical and statistical techniques and their application to economics.

Lectures and seminars and formative feedback particularly on the core modules EC1000, EC1001, EC2045, EC2046, EC3000 and EC3001

Lectures, seminars and formative feedback particularly on modules EC1005, EC1007, EC1008, EC1009

Demonstrated through the assignments delivered through the core modules identified.

Demonstrated through achieving a pass mark in the mid-term tests and then the final exam on the core mathematics and statistics modules in year 1 and 2.

Undergraduate Programme Specification

Intended Learning Outcomes

Teaching and Learning Methods

How Demonstrated?

(ii) Understanding and application of key concepts and techniques

Explain economic models and apply them appropriately.

Employ quantitative economic analysis.

Demonstrate the ability to apply economic/financial/mathematical theories and techniques in a work place setting (Year in Industry variant only).*

*The extent to which a student will have the opportunity to do this will vary according to the type of placement.

Lectures, seminars and formative assessments across all modules across the programme.

Workshops held in computer labs designed to demonstrate to the ‘how’ in relation to economic quantitative modeling

Developing the ability to apply economic/financial/mathematical theories and concepts to real world situations within the work environment (Year in Industry variant only).

Through exam performance but also in oral presentations and analyses of problem solving sets.

Through assessment, in particular EC1009, EC2010 and EC2011.

Reflective log, skills audit, employer feedback and final report/presentation (Year in Industry variant only).

(iii) Critical analysis of key issues

Critically analyse economic arguments and relate them to contemporary policy issues.

All modules across the programme and as part of on-going professional development but specifically on EC1025, EC2011 and EC3004

Engagement in debates within lectures and seminars as formative assessment but also in summative assessments in particular the on-going reflective development of the Leicester Award and Leicester Award Gold and the Research in Economics assignment.

(iv) Clear and concise presentation of material

Produce clear and concise economic arguments and models.

Produce clear and concise quantitative economic analysis and results.

Write an extended original research report.

Years 1, 2 and 3: Lectures, tutorials, seminars, formative & summative feedback.

Intensity of the problem solving sets increases over the course of the programme to ensure knowledge is cumulatively developed, retained and operationalized.

Developed through seminar classes and lectures in preparation for the assignment on EC3004

Assessed through a range of written reports and data analyses problem sets throughout years 1, 2 and 3.

Attainment on EC3004 Research in Economics assignment which is an extended independent piece of work.

Undergraduate Programme Specification

Intended Learning Outcomes

Teaching and Learning Methods

How Demonstrated?

(v) Critical appraisal of evidence with appropriate insight

Critically appraise relevant economic research.

Critically appraise the results from quantitative economic analysis.

Years 1, 2 and 3: Lectures, tutorials, seminars, formative & summative feedback.

Workshops and computer labs.

Maths Support Sessions

Attainment in EC3004 Research in Economics

(vi) Other discipline specific competencies

(b) Transferable skills

(i) Oral communication

Prepare and present concepts, arguments or analysis orally.

Produce clear visual aids to accompany an oral presentation.

Application of oral communication skills within the work environment and in presentation (Year in Industry variant only).

Seminar and assessment support across all years of study.

Content delivered through the engagement strategy including employability skills.

Leicester Award and Leicester Award Gold provision.

Scaffold approach to the format of assessment.

Developing oral communication skills in the work environment (Year in Industry variant only).

Formative: Contribution to tutorials and seminars.

Summative assessment on EC1025, EC3004

Reflective log and final report/presentation (Year in Industry variant only).

Undergraduate Programme Specification

Intended Learning Outcomes

Teaching and Learning Methods

How Demonstrated?

(ii) Written communication

Produce clearly written material with appropriate use of evidence.

Application of written communication skills within the work environment and in report writing (Year in Industry variant only).

Year 1: Induction Programme and Study Skills Support material.

Years 1, 2 and 3: Lectures, tutorials, seminars, formative & summative feedback, module handbooks.

Developing written communication skills in the work environment (Year in Industry variant only).

Formative assessment, coursework, exams, Research in Economics (EC3004).

Reflective log and final report/presentation (Year in Industry variant only).

(iii) Information technology

Use word processing in the preparation of written work.

Use the internet to access appropriate information.

Use spreadsheets for data presentation and analysis.

Use specialist packages for statistical analysis.

Application of information technology skills within the work environment and in presentation (Year in Industry variant only).

Year 1: Induction Programme and Study Skills Support material.

Years 1 and 2: Computer classes

Year 3: Research in Economics Project

Econometrics modules EC2010, EC2011

Developing IT skills in the work environment through project work and student portfolio (Year in Industry variant only).

Formative: Contribution to computer classes.

Summative: written reports and data analysis skills in relation to problem sets.

Reflective log, skills audit, employer feedback and final report/presentation (Year in Industry variant only).

(iv) Numeracy

Employ general numerical, mathematical and statistical skills.

Application of numeracy skills within the work environment (Year in Industry variant only).

Years 1, 2 and 3: Lectures, tutorials, seminars, computer classes, formative & summative feedback.

Developing numeracy skills in the work environment through project work (Year in Industry variant only).

Formative assessment, coursework, exams, dissertation

Reflective log, skills audit, employer feedback and final report/presentation (Year in Industry variant only).

Undergraduate Programme Specification

Intended Learning Outcomes

Teaching and Learning Methods

How Demonstrated?

(v) Team working

Demonstrate basic team working skills.

Application of team building skills within the work environment (Year in Industry variant only).

Years 1, 2 and 3: Lectures, tutorials, seminars, computer classes.

Developing team building skills in the work environment through project work (Year in Industry variant only).

Group-based coursework on EC1025, EC2011, EC3001 and in relation to the reflections as part of the Leicester Award and Leicester Award Gold.

Reflective log, skills audit, employer feedback and final report/presentation (Year in Industry variant only).

(vi) Problem solving

Demonstrate problem formulation and solution.

Application of problem solving skills within the work environment (Year in Industry variant only).

Years 1, 2 and 3: Lectures, tutorials, seminars, formative & summative feedback.

Maths Support Sessions

Developing problem solving skills in the work environment through project work and applying theories and concepts to real world situations (Year in Industry variant only).

Formative assessment, coursework, exams and mid-term tests. In particular, problem sets and data analysis assignments are relevant.

Reflective log, skills audit, employer feedback and final report/presentation (Year in Industry variant only).

(vii) Information handling

Find and use appropriate information from a variety of sources.

Application of information handling skills within the work environment (Year in Industry variant only).

Years 1, 2 and 3: Lectures, tutorials, seminars, computer classes, formative & summative feedback.

Developed specifically through the on-line academic misconduct course embedded in EC1000.

Developing data handling in the work environment through project work (Year in Industry variant only).

Formative assessment, coursework, exams, Research in Economics assignment.

Reflective log, skills audit, employer feedback and final report/presentation (Year in Industry variant only).

Undergraduate Programme Specification

Intended Learning Outcomes

Teaching and Learning Methods

How Demonstrated?

(viii) Skills for lifelong learning

Collect and apply new ideas and concepts.

Combine new knowledge and techniques with prior understanding.

Demonstrate and produce independent work.

Demonstrate time management skills through adhering to deadlines.

Use a variety of sources of knowledge appropriately.

Demonstrate ability to learn in a different cultural environment (Year Abroad variant only).

Application of a variety of employability and transferable skills (some outlined already above) within the work environment (Year in Industry variant only).

Demonstrate the ability to think reflectively about personal and professional development (Year in Industry variant only).

Demonstrate professional behaviour in the work environment (Year in Industry variant only).

Year 1: Induction Programme and Study Skills Support material.

Years 1, 2 and 3: Lectures, tutorials, seminars, computer classes, formative & summative feedback, module handbooks.

Year Abroad variant only: Lectures, seminars, tutorials, feedback while studying in the host institution.

Developing a variety of employability and transferable skills through responsibilities associated with their work placement (Year in Industry variant only).

Formative assessment, coursework, exams, Research in Economics assignment.

Ability to hand-in work on time, arrive at exams prepared and anticipating challenge.

Year Abroad variant only: Exams and coursework in the host institution.

Reflective log, skills audit, employer feedback and final report/presentation (Year in Industry variant only).

10. Progression points:

This programme follows the standard Scheme of Progression set out in Senate Regulation 5 governing undergraduate programmes.

Year Abroad variant: Students may only enter this degree programme by transferring after the end of their first-year. The condition for admission to the scheme will be an average mark of no less than 55% in year one. Students who meet these conditions will be invited to apply at the end of their first year of studies, following the Department’s June Exam Board. Students will then be expected to maintain average marks of no less than 60% in the first semester of their second year, and that they do not have any failed modules across the second year as a whole. Progression decisions made at the end of

Undergraduate Programme Specification

semester one should be treated as ‘provisional’ (as with assessments) and subject to confirmation by the Exam Board in the summer. This will include exceptional cases too.

Year in Industry variant: Students may only enter this variant by transferring at the end of the first-year on the condition that they meet the Scheme of Progression from year 1 to 2. Students who meet these conditions will be invited to apply for a Year in Industry Placement, following the Department’s June Exam Board.

11. Scheme of Assessment

This programme follows the standard Scheme of Award and Classification set out in Senate Regulation 5 governing undergraduate programmes.

12. Special features:

A four-day induction programme in the first week of Year 1.

A formal employability skills development programme in year 1

Study of core microeconomic and macroeconomic theory and applications at progressively rising levels of analytical and technical complexity.

Provision of a broad range of optional modules that apply economic analysis, in diverse ways, to a variety of specialist subjects enabling students to focus on areas of interest.

Academic supervision of an extended research project, in an economics-related topic of the students’ own choosing, resulting in a professional-style written dissertation.

The option of a four-year ‘with a Year Abroad’ degree programme, with a third year spent studying at an overseas partner University either in a foreign language or in English (see below).

The option of a four-year ‘with a Year in Industry’ degree programme (see below).

13. Indications of programme quality

University Academic Review

External examiners reports

First Destination careers statistics

Exemption from the Business Economics professional examination of Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

14. External Examiner(s) reports

The details of the External Examiner(s) for this programme and the most recent External Examiners’ reports for this programme can be found at exampapers@Leicester [log-in required]

Appendix 1: Programme structure (programme regulations)

PROGRAMME FOR STUDENTS ENTERING YEAR 1 IN SEPTEMBER 2020

FIRST YEAR MODULES (All modules are core)

YEAR-LONG MODULE

Credits

EC1025 CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN ECONOMICS, FINANCE AND BUSINESS 30

SEMESTER 1

Undergraduate Programme Specification

Credits

EC1000 MICROECONOMICS 15

EC1005 MATHS FOR ECONOMICS 1 15

EC1007 STATISTICS FOR ECONOMISTS 1 15

SEMESTER 2

Credits

EC1001 MACROECONOMICS 15

EC1008 MATHS FOR ECONOMICS 2 15

EC1009 STATISTICS FOR ECONOMISTS 2 15

Year Total 120

SECOND YEAR MODULES

SEMESTER 1

Core Modules Credits

EC2045 INTERMEDIATE MICROECONOMICS 15

EC2046 INTERMEDIATE MACROECONOMICS 15

EC2010 INTRODUCTORY ECONOMETRICS 15

EC2043 GAME THEORY 15

Semester Total

60

SEMESTER 2

Core Modules Credits

EC2011 TOPICS IN APPLIED ECONOMETRICS 15

EC2050 FIRMS, MARKETS AND WELFARE 15

and two modules chosen from below

EC2051 MONEY AND CENTRAL BANKING 15

EC2034 ECONOMIC HISTORY 15

EC2052 LABOUR ECONOMICS 15

EC2053 ENVIRONMENTAL AND RESOURCE ECONOMICS 15

Semester Total

60

THIRD YEAR MODULES

SEMESTER 1

Undergraduate Programme Specification

Core Modules Credits

EC3000 ADVANCED MICROECONOMICS 15

EC3001 ADVANCED MACROECONOMICS 15

and two modules chosen from below Credits

EC3023 INDUSTRIAL ECONOMICS 15

EC3071 MANAGERIAL ECONOMICS 15

EC3061 DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS 15

EC3066 INTERNATIONAL TRADE 15

Semester Total

60

SEMESTER 2

Core Modules Credits

EC3004 DISSERTATION 15

and three modules chosen from below (modules with (*) cannot be chosen together)

Credits

EC3067 INTERNATIONAL FINANCE 15

EC3089 BEHAVIOURAL ECONOMICS 15

EC3080 PUBLIC ECONOMICS 15

EC3082 ECONOMICS OF HEALTH (*) 15

EC3044 ECONOMICS OF EDUCATION (*) 15

Semester Total

60

BSc Economics with a Year Abroad Students may only enter this course by meeting the criteria outlined above in section 10. FIRST AND SECOND YEAR MODULES As for the first and second year of BSc Economics. THIRD YEAR MODULES

1) Students will spend one academic year studying at one of our overseas partner Institutions between the second and final years of their degree programme.

Undergraduate Programme Specification

2) During their placement students are expected to undertake modules worth the equivalent of 120 credits at the University of Leicester. For European Institutions this is normally equal to at least 40 ECTS credits, and for Universities elsewhere in the world this is normally equivalent to eight academic modules. 3) Modules selected during the year abroad must be approved by School’s Year Abroad coordinators and must be in subject areas relevant to a students’ degree programme. The selected modules cannot be identical to those that have already been studied, or will be studied upon returning to Leicester for the final year. 4) Students who do not satisfactorily complete their year studying abroad will be transferred to the non-Year Abroad degree path for their final year. 5) Students will have up until the end of the second week of the first term of their third year to transfer to the non-Year Abroad degree voluntarily. After this point students who are not able to complete their year abroad will re-join the non-Year Abroad degree in the following year.

FOURTH YEAR MODULES As for the third year of BSc Economics.

BSc Economics with a Year in Industry Students may only enter this course by meeting the criteria outlined above in section 10. FIRST AND SECOND YEAR MODULES As for the first and second year of BSc Economics. THIRD YEAR MODULES

1) Students will work within a sponsoring company for a minimum of 9 months between 1 July of the second year of their course and the start of the following academic year. 2) During their placement students will undertake a programme of training and practical experience which will be agreed by the sponsoring company and the University. 3) During the placement students’ progress will be monitored through a variety of activities including the maintenance of a regular log. Students will complete a report and will be expected to make a presentation towards the end of their placement. The report and presentation are requirements for the awarding of the degree but are not part of the formal assessment for the degree. 4) Students who do not satisfactorily complete their industrial placement year will be transferred to the non-Industry degree path. 5) Students will have up until the end of the second week of the first term to transfer to the non-Industry degree voluntarily. After this point students who are not able to complete their year in industry will re-join the non-Industry degree in the following year.

FOURTH YEAR MODULES

As for the third year of BSc Economics.

Appendix 2: Module specifications

See module specification database http://www.le.ac.uk/sas/courses/documentation

Undergraduate Programme Specification

Appendix 3: Skills matrix

See the attached spreadsheet